Exercise
2: BoundariesWhere
one color meets another color the two edges create a line.
The line is referred to as a boundary line. The line will
be soft or hard according to values, i.e. if the values are
close, the boundary line will be soft; and if one value is
dark and the other is soft, the boundary line will be hard.

1Select six different hues with varying values,
and from each, cut a swatch one by three-inches.

2Without regard for hue or value, adhere the swatches
butted against one another on the long dimension forming a
rectangle six inches high.

3Choose one hue at random and adhere it with the short
end butted against the left end of the top swatch. This creates
a one-inch boundary line.

4Using all different hues, try to match the softness
or hardness of that one-inch boundary line on the succeeding
five divisions.

5The final result is a six-inch square vertically divided
in the middle, and having six horizontal divisions composed
of twelve color swatches. The vertical center line should
have the same degree of hardness or softness from top to bottom
regardless of what hues or values are chosen.

6Craft is an important criterion in evaluating this
exercise.

Exercise
3: Transparency1Select a hue of approximately middle value and
cut three three-inch squares which are put down on a horizontal
line.

2Select a second hue which contrasts with the first
one, and cut three one and one-half-inch squares. Position
the squares over one corner of the larger squares creating
a one-inch overlap.

3In the squares on the left, create the illusion of
the smaller square being in front of the larger one by selecting
a third, totally different, hue for the one by one-inch overlap.
It is the boundary principle that determines what is in front
and what is in back, not the choice of hue.

4On the second set of squares, create the illusion of
the larger and smaller squares merging.

5On the far right set of squares, create the illusion
of the larger square being in front of the smaller one.

6Craft is an important criterion in evaluating this
exercise.

Exercise
4: Color ManipulationA
common axiom in art has been warm colors advance and cool
colors recede. Do a free-study and apply the boundary principle
so that warm colors recede and cool colors advance. Size is
optional. Sometimes students were asked to select one color
and make it progressively recede through application of the
boundary principle. Frame appropriately and craft is a consideration
in evaluation.

Exercise
5: How Much to How MuchSelect
two hues that could be described as the ugliest possible color
combination.

1Do a free study with exactly the same amount
of each color.

2Do a free study making an exaggerated distinction between
how much of one color to how much of the other appropriate
framing and craft are a consideration in evaluation.